The Manager of Agriculture and Climate will be a driving force in Accion Advisorys mission to revolutionize agricultural finance and empower smallholder farmers across India. Based in Mumbai, you will lead the charge in developing and implementing cutting-edge financial solutions that build climate resilience and promote sustainable agricultural practices. This is an opportunity to shape the future of agriculture and make a lasting impact on the lives of millions.
In this dynamic role, you will partner with financial institutions, agri-tech startups, and other key stakeholders to design and deliver innovative financial products and services that meet the evolving needs of smallholder farmers in a changing climate.
Fluency in English is a must.
Position Responsibilities
I. Develop and Lead Projects:
A. Drive Climate-Smart Agriculture Finance:
Identify and cultivate innovative advisory services that facilitate financial institutions in integrating climate-smart agriculture principles into their lending operations.
Provide technical assistance to FIs on climate risk assessment, mitigation, and adaptation strategies for agricultural lending.
Support the design and implementation of innovative financial products and services tailored to the needs of climate-vulnerable smallholder farmers.
Collaborate with FIs to leverage technology and data to enhance the efficiency and reach of agricultural finance initiatives.
B. Project Management:
Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables in collaboration with partner FIs and Accion Advisory colleagues.
Manage project implementation, ensuring timely execution, effective communication, and adherence to quality standards.
Monitor and evaluate project performance, ensuring alignment with project goals and Accion s strategic objectives.
C. Capacity Building:
Oversee the development and delivery of training programs to build the capacity of partner FI staff on climate-smart agriculture finance.
Provide ongoing coaching and mentorship to support the integration of climate considerations into FI operations.
Foster knowledge sharing and peer learning among partner institutions.
II. Promote Climate-Resilient Agriculture:
A. Integrate Climate Risk Management:
Work with FIs to incorporate climate risk assessments into their credit underwriting and portfolio management processes.
Support the development of climate-resilient lending methodologies that promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Contribute to the development of innovative insurance and risk mitigation products for smallholder farmers.
B. Champion Digital Innovation:
Advise FIs on the use of digital technologies to enhance the delivery of agricultural finance services.
Promote the adoption of digital tools and platforms that empower farmers to manage their finances and adapt to climate change.
C. Advocate for Inclusive Finance:
Ensure that Accion Advisory s interventions promote equitable access to finance for all smallholder farmers, including women and marginalized groups.
Contribute to thought leadership and knowledge sharing on climate-smart agriculture finance and inclusive development.
III. Advance Accions Thought Leadership and Strategic Initiatives:
A. Contribute to Strategic Direction:
Provide insights and analysis on emerging trends in climate-smart agriculture finance and their potential impact on Accion Advisorys strategy.
Identify opportunities for innovation and growth in the agricultural finance sector, with a focus on climate resilience and smallholder farmer empowerment.
Contribute to the development of Accion Advisorys thought leadership in the field of climate-smart agriculture, representing the organization in relevant forums and publications.
B. Promote Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration:
Share best practices and lessons learned from project implementation with colleagues and industry partners.
Contribute to the development of knowledge resources, training materials, and publications that advance the field of climate-smart agriculture finance.
Engage in research and analysis to deepen understanding of the challenges and opportunities in promoting sustainable agriculture and financial inclusion.
C. Enhance Accions Visibility and Impact:
Actively participate in conferences, workshops, and seminars to share Accion Advisorys expertise and promote its work in climate-smart agriculture finance.
Identify opportunities to showcase Accion Advisorys learnings, insights, and innovations through publications, presentations, and other channels.
Contribute to the development and dissemination of thought leadership pieces that highlight the impact of Accion Advisorys work in promoting financial inclusion and sustainable agriculture.
Position Qualifications
Masters degree in agricultural economics, finance, environmental studies, or a related field; Bachelors degree with equivalent work experience may be considered.
10+ years of experience in the agricultural finance sector, with a demonstrated passion for serving smallholder farmers and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Proven track record of designing and implementing successful agricultural finance projects that integrate climate risk management and leverage technology.
Experience working with financial institutions and agri-tech startups to develop and deliver innovative financial products and services.
Familiarity with digital financial services and their application in the agricultural sector.
Strong understanding of climate change impacts on agriculture and the challenges and opportunities faced by smallholder farmers.
Knowledge of climate-smart agriculture practices, technologies, and innovative finance solutions.
Expertise in agricultural finance product development, including credit risk assessment and portfolio management.
Excellent project management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including financial institutions, government agencies, farmer organizations, and agri-tech startups.
English fluency required.
Proficiency in Hindi or other local languages is a plus.
Deep commitment to Accions mission of promoting financial inclusion and sustainable development.
Passion for driving positive change in the agricultural sector and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
Interest in our mission and working globally.
Willingness to embody our values of excellence, respect and passion for social change.
Excellence: Accion staff should always put forth their best effort in all activities, strive for high quality of collective and individual performance; and demonstrate honesty and integrity at all times while in the workplace and while working on behalf of the organization.
Respect: Accion staff should value one another s roles and responsibilities as much as their own, be encouraging, and value the diverse and unique perspectives of colleagues. They should honor obligations and commitments to each other and to external partners.
Passion for Social Change: Accion staff should be committed to making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, value the greater good of the organization over personal gain, and promote a productive workplace by acknowledging the accomplishments of others.
Travel Requirements
Willingness and ability to travel 50% of the time.